Users opinions please

Voxson,

Just to add, that your sat phone is good for emergency use. But all you can do in an emergency is phone the nearest police station for help, or someone else for advice.

But the HF radio is great for general info (weather, road reports, rain etc) and as mentioned before, on the sked sessions on 8022, you can be in touch with "unknown" willing helpers nearby. VKS737 is widely used by outback travellers.

I wouldn't necessarily rely on that unless you were a member of the particular HF network. There has been a bit of rivalry between a couple of networks so it would depend on the situation and the operator as to whether it bgot through. If you got a flat and haven't got a jack or you broke your diff........probably not, if you have severed an artery or have been bitten by a snake.......probably. I went HF because you are never alone and that is handy if you travel on a one car or small group journey. General communication, news, weather, rfds etc etc. certainly better than a sat phone that just sits there looking at you. The HF costs hardly anything per year and can be used antywhere anytime. The sat phone is going to cost you a monthly charge which over the life time will work out dearer than the HF initial cost.

Satphones are not like your ordinary mobile. If you are talking about the $1000 type you have to be stationary to use and I found the ones I hired seemed to chew up the power pretty quickly. That may have just been the fact that they were hired.

HF for me by a country mile!We have so little time to enjoy our land

Thanks David:
Certainly food for thought.
Cheers
JackNo trees were harmed in the making or sending of this message.
However a great number of electrons were terribly inconvenienced.

Dont know what sat phone you are talking about, but the 9500,9505 dont have to be stationary to be used

Thanks Peter. My phone is yet to arrive and be connected. I had planned to use it only for emergencies and for sending/receiving email. It is a 9500.
JackNo trees were harmed in the making or sending of this message.
However a great number of electrons were terribly inconvenienced.

Hey Rosco.... You keep trying.... Maybe you will wear me down soon... I can feel it slipping away......___________________________________
Simpson trip 05/04 then turn left at Birdsville to Darwin via Lawn Hill etc
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Hi Voxson nothing to do with your posting.But will i need a flag for the sand dunes if so where can i get one
regards uppy

I bought a length of electrical conduit from a salvage yard and just tied an orange workflag on top....___________________________________
Simpson trip 05/04 then turn left at Birdsville to Darwin via Lawn Hill etc
___________________________________